It was in the Red Sox' 11-5 win over the Rangers that we were reminded of the best offensive option when it comes to finding a catalyst for a two-month run. Gonzalez hit two home runs, notched three hits, and may have rediscovered the kind of influence that had left such a powerful impression for much of the first half.

"That's basically his swing right there," Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan said. "I know that when I look at his swing and I feel that he's right I don't know if it coincides with the way he feels but for me when he's hard on his front side, going out to get the ball … you can't be short to the ball.

"It actually started in Kansas City. He hit a couple of balls the other way deep. I think it was the game he went 0-for-5 but he really drove some balls the other way and to me that was the first day he was allowing the ball to come to him and he wasn't going out to get it. From that day I felt he was getting better and better each day."

It would seem like a healthy leap of faith to suggest one player could make such a difference in such a potent lineup. But Gonzalez may have already offered an example of the difference he can make over a two-month stretch, which started the last time he popped out two home runs in one game.

It was May 10, and Gonzalez hit a pair of homers in a Red Sox loss in Toronto. From that point on, up until the All-Star break, the first baseman hit .377 with 13 homers and a 1.092 OPS. It was the second-best batting average and OPS in the majors over that time.

But, most importantly, the Red Sox went 38-17 during the stretch, the best in the big leagues by a long shot.

Since then, up until the two-home run night Tuesday, the Sox were 22-15. Not bad, but not as good as five other clubs. And it just so happened that during that run Gonzalez was trying to rediscover his swing, totaling a .777 OPS to go along with just one home run.

Get the picture?

“I felt pretty good today," Gonzalez said. "If I can continue that swing, especially the at-bat I had against [Darren] Oliver [a single to right] — I haven't had an at-bat like that against a lefty in a while. I’ve been getting hits, but not an at-bat where I battle and I’m able to stay through the ball and get a base hit like that. Hopefully I can continue that swing today. If those things continue, I’ll get on a little of a hot streak. But we’re facing some pretty tough pitchers, too."

Speaking of pitchers …

Beckett will look to continue the optimism when he takes the mound Wednesday night. He has been the Red Sox best pitcher this season, even if a bout of midseason fatigue has left him with a 4.06 ERA in his last five starts. It has still been good enough to suggest autumn dominance is a very real possibility.

The same can be said about Beckett's rotation-mate, Lester, whose overall numbers might not be tops on the team but since June 30 has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. During that stretch the lefty has totaled a 2.13 ERA, along with the second-best batting average against in the bigs (.183).

But, as is the case with Gonzalez, the first wave of stats only tells part of the story when it comes to Beckett and Lester. What complements their current runs is the notion that both have carried clubs when it counted the most before.

Beckett has done it twice, both in 2003 and '07. During the Marlins' World Series run he totaled a 2.11 ERA while holding opponents to a .145 batting average (the second-best postseason clip in the past 10 years). And '07 was even better, with the righty going 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA, striking out 35 and walking just two.

He also has an understanding of what lays ahead.

"Everybody is locked in the playoffs," Beckett said. "You just have to realize that. Guys are going to make pitches and guys are going to foul them off. Everybody is locked in. It's not like you're going through the fourth start of the year; once you get to the playoffs everybody is locked in.

"I don't think you think that way going in or even during," he added, regarding the possibility of carrying a team. "I think it just happens. What I did in 2003, it wasn't like 'C'mon boys, jump on my back.' It was more me going out there and throwing 97 mph on the black. That usually bodes pretty well. Everybody talks about big-game pitchers, and if you look back I guarantee you there aren't a lot of sinkerballers throwing 85 mph who are big-game pitchers. It just doesn't correlate to the playoffs. It's just the way it is."

Lester also understands.

"We're ready for the season to be over and start a new one," he said.

In '08, one year after winning the clinching game of the World Series, Lester offered one of the most dominating performances in divisional series history. The lefty held the Angels to no earned runs over 14 innings, striking out 11 and walking three.

"This time of year, it's just a long year. You're ready for the next step," he noted. "You don't want to look too far ahead and assume you're going to be there. You have a change of scenery in September with all the new guys and it's kind of fun to be part of that, and that kind of refreshes guys a little it.

"I think guys this time of year really look forward to the next step, especially teams that seem to have a chance."

And, thanks to the potential of these three players, the Red Sox might just have a better chance than most.

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